Best Model for resell
 

We are currently in the market with a budget of up to 500k. Which model at any price is in the most demand. We have reviewed the "sold" information but have been unable to form a clear understanding. It appears that homes under 400k seem to be easiest resell but we would like to hear opinions. Thanks

I don't think you will have any trouble selling any home in your budget range as long as it is properly priced to the current market. We had an over $400K house on our street take 8 months to sell because it was priced way to high, about 80K over the market. Once they finally knocked the price down to what the market was (mid 300K) it went in a week. Other houses on our street (High 300K to high 500K) have sold in less than a week because they were priced to their current market value.

In the resale market, the Lantana and Gardenia models are pretty popular. The Lantana has all three bedrooms on one side of the house. The Gardenia has two bedrooms on one side and the master bedroom on the opposite side of the house. Personally, I think that if you have frequent guests, the Gardenia is more desirable because your guests can sleep farther away from the master bedroom.

I think the lot is very important. If you pay $50K or $100K more for a better lot, I think you will get much more when you sell it.

Not that I own one but the fenced in Veranda Designer series are very hot in the new sections, especially with those who have dogs and there are a lot of dog owners. They also give more privacy than most interior site homes.

Yep

Get a golf cart garage. Price it right. No problem selling. Bond paid will also help. Do not back up to a golf cart path.

Avoid the kissing lanai like the plague.

Agree. I lived on a golf course for 13 years, never again. If you expect to enjoy some private time on your lanai, you don't want to be anywhere near a cart path or tee box, worse yet a ball washer or restrooms. And don't forget about the early morning mowing and maintenance.

To be honest, I doubt there really is one specific model that is in the most demand. If I have to pick one it would be the Begonia/Gardenia models (they are basically the same thing, look at the layouts, I have never been able to figure out the difference, I would consider them the same model). Lantana's and Iris's are very popular too. We have a Jasmine and they are in great demand, but with your budget, I am guessing you want something bigger.

More importantly - why do you care???? Buy what you like.

Never bought a house for resale-if you're older than 70 resale will not be your problem--it will be for your executor or trustee to handle

When we were choosing a house model, we liked the Iris. Then we saw the plan for a Laurel Oak, which is very much like the Iris, only larger.

In 2016, the basic Iris model was $258K and had about 1960 sq ft of living space. The Laurel Oak was $286K and had about 2350 sq ft of living space.

So the Laurel Oak had 20% more space and cost 10% more. We chose the Laurel Oak.

What if you decide to move into assisted living? Then the resale price would matter to you.

Golf course and water lots cost more, which in turn raise taxes up.

#1 RULE in Real Estate "Location Location Location"

You can't buy a home that will please everyone, only some of the people. To make your home stand out from similar homes will be the location. All of the homes below 466A were built between the summer of 2011 and 2016. During that construction time they averaged selling 2,200 homes a year. The reason was the location. People liked the new areas, which also included 3 championship golf courses, shopping at Colony and the Brownwood Square.

I live halfway between LSL and Brownwood, about 3-1/2 miles to either square or about 20 minutes by golf cart to either square. I'm just north of 466A in Tamarind Grove. I can drive to 8 different championship golf courses in 25 minutes or less in my golf cart with my clubs on the back.

I believe the ideal location is anywhere just north of 466A. The Villages of St. James, Duval, St. Charles, Bonita or Hemingway. Most of these Villages are also between Buena Vista and Morse. Those are the two main north side two lane roads that have separate golf cart paths. All the feeder roads have golf cart lanes on the side, such as where I live. In my Village of Tamarind Grove and Buttonwood and Pennecamp you have to drive your cart on the side of a busy road with cars only a few feet away going 35 mph. That's why I don't recommend them even thought they're in that central region. St. James is in this area, but they are also very close to Buena Vista and any travel on the side of a road is minor.

Probably most people until they actually get out and drive a golf cart, don't realize how much nicer it is to be on a cart path with only other golf carts. That's the one regret I have living in Tamarind Grove. Otherwise I love our central location and highly recommend buying a home that you like in this area just north of 466A.